A recent community donation effort in Aurora, Ontario, collected non-perishable food and raised funds to support local families this winter, organizers said. The drive was intended to benefit the Aurora Food Pantry and the Newmarket Food Pantry — two local organizations that have reported sharply rising demand as the cost of living and housing pressures increase in York Region.
Aurora Food Pantry Executive Director Sandra Seepaul has said the pantry has served more than 1,200 people per month in recent months, and reporting shows the Aurora pantry purchases staples and perishables (milk, eggs, cheese) when supplies run low. Newmarket Food Pantry Executive Director Adrian Bain has described sustained, record-high demand in Newmarket, with visits reported to be roughly 120% higher than in 2020.
Neighbourhood Network runs annual and seasonal food-drive programs that support pantries across Aurora and Newmarket and aims to help close the post-holiday donation gap. Organizers and pantry leaders say monetary donations are particularly useful because they allow pantries to buy fresh items and proteins that are less commonly donated but are important for nutritionally balanced meals.
The Aurora Food Pantry is currently located at 350 Industrial Parkway South and has announced a planned move to 16 Mary Street (Units 5 & 6) beginning in early 2026. For current needs and donation information, see the Aurora Food Pantry and Newmarket Food Pantry websites.
